The Escape from Eraway

Entry One

                Not too long ago it was an acceptable notion to take a walk outside, on the streets, without being brutally questioned and abashed. Every time a citizen of Eraway stepped outside they were able to breathe easy; they knew that their protector and guide, Deavin, would watch over them and make sure no harm befell them.  Since the Great Falling, however, no one, not even the bravest men of the city Eraway, went out on the streets. To do so would lead to false accusations and abnormally brutal questioning.

                The Great Falling was a period of time lasting seventeen years. Eraway's neighboring nation, Renton, was jealous of their resources, jealous of their jewel mines. Eraway was the sole provider for all of Soralei for the stone chrisalai. Chrisalai was a traditional gem, the only gem that could be used for a marriage proposal in every nation of Soralei. It was a stone that seemed to hold every color of beauty, it reflects the soul of the wearer and more importantly displays the purity of the couple whom it belongs to.

                Renton slowly began kidnapping politicians of Eraway. There was no war, greed was a sin unheard of, the parliament of Eraway did not know how to respond. Ten years after the kidnappings began a war had begun. No one knows who shot the first shot but at some point the lines blurred into a seven year turmoil that sucked away hope for the citizens of Eraway. Renton now occupies Eraway, the citizens of Eraway are harassed by soldiers of Renton. Erawians had no choice but to go underground the first time one of their own was beaten by a man of Renton just for going to work on a business day, he was claimed to be "suspicious" but really he had just worn a cap that day to keep his head dry from the rain.

                The only solution left was for the people of Eraway to build tunnels and extend on their chrisalai mines. Over a thousand tunnels weaved in and out under the once great city. These circuits of tunnel were used as roads, a way to get from here to there. In the tunnels people gathered, socialized, and traveled, and resided. No outdoor activities were feasible so in order to try to preserve their way of life Erawians carved out large masses of rock and dirt to create large spaces that were easy for hundreds to move around in comfortably. There were underground parks with cavernous waterfalls to relax by. Life was not so awful without sun, many people missed their freedom but they made do with their surroundings. They were a proud, tough people.

                The streets above ground were desolate, nothing bothered walking on those roads and passes except for the Weymen. Wey were diligent guards of the new order, of Renton. The sun would shine and life went on in this ghost city. Nature began to even reclaim some roads because the Weymen cared not what befell the city of Eraway. The vines and roots crushed buildings and made the once thriving metropolis seem like ruins from thousands of years ago.

                She woke up on this day just as she had any other day. Her days were spent in the dark, not a sight unknown to any citizen of the new Eraway for the last 30 years. Her name is Nayala, a child from the new generation, she was born into this world. She has never known the light of the sun or the warmth it can bring. She does not yearn for it either, it is merely a thing she does not experience. She read about it in her history books, listened to her parents praise it, but she, herself, never wanted to be in the sun. She felt her life was just as fulfilling without it.

                Nayala had breakfast with her mother and father, prepared for classes and then left her home as quickly as possible. She could not tolerate being home for more than what was necessary. Her parents constantly complained about how she should focus more on school instead of worrying when the next time she would get to go to Yera Falls was. Nayala felt bad for leaving her parents on daily basis as much as possible, but going to the falls was her only true joy in life. Though she was already 20 and of age to move out and make her own family, Nayala was drawn to the Yera Falls every day, she simply did not have time for men, she hardly even noticed them. Until she is married it is customary to live with her parents in order to save space. Nayala did not mind this condition, she was close to her family and more importantly her family's home was just a short walk away from Yera Falls.

                It seemed as if Yera Falls contained her fate. Her motive for living could only be found within this natural phenomenon. She wanted to become a scientist for her community. With this as her profession she would be able to go there every day and find out what truly drew her to this place. She wondered what could possibly cause this unnatural hold on her. The only way to find out was to learn sciences and continue with classes longer than most. Nayala stopped by her friend Liemi's home on the way to class. Liemi was happily married with a child on the way, she was normal. Nayala could only be her friend within school because when she was done with her classes she would want to go to the falls, it was her time to be solitary.